UL Monroe Warhawks 2026 Season Preview

Aidan Armenta is back after throwing for 1,628 yards with 12 touchdowns against eight interceptions, a game-manager who can pick up yards with his legs and give the staff some flexibility. How firm his grip on the job is depends on who you ask. One read has him as the settled returning starter; another frames the position as an open competition that could run into camp, with Houston transfer Austin Carlisle bringing an intriguing dual-threat, speed element after being used as a runner and receiver by the Cougars, and Landon Graves pushing after appearing in eight games and throwing two scores as a reserve. Either way, the room is deeper than it has been in some time, and the search is for badly needed explosiveness.

There is a little proven production here. Nic Trujillo (23 catches, 368 yards, four touchdowns) is the most established target, with JP Coulter (21 receptions, 234 yards) and Tyler Griffin (13-168) also back. Beyond that trio the corps is largely unproven, which is part of why the staff leaned on the portal to jump-start the passing game, adding pieces such as Marcellus Jackson to the outside mix. Memphis transfer tight end Bryce Anderson, a big-bodied 6-5, 250-pound target, should factor into the pass-catching plan and give Armenta a reliable option over the middle.

Running the ball was the one thing UL Monroe did respectably, churning out around 163 yards per game, but that unit returns almost entirely new faces after the departures of leading rusher Zach Palmer-Smith (660 yards) and Braylon McReynolds (637 yards), the latter now at UAB. The staff is handing the keys to well-traveled Don Chaney, who has stops at Miami, Louisville and Charlotte on his resume and roughly 1,030 career rushing yards on 225 carries. He headlines a backfield rebuilt largely through the portal, with Derrick Jameson among the depth options.

This is the biggest worry on the roster. Tackle AJ Vinson is the lone returning starter, and the group has to replace four others up front. Kaliem Croswell offers a little experience after making three starts at guard, but the rest of the projected line is thin on returning snaps. If the pass protection does not come together quickly, it could undercut whatever playmaking the new skill talent provides, and it will be tested immediately.

The defense was the brighter side of the ball in 2025, finishing sixth in the Sun Belt in total defense at 384.8 yards allowed per game while holding opponents to 162.6 rushing and 222.3 passing yards. Sustaining that will require rebuilding the front. James Smith, who appeared in 11 games, is the most experienced returning piece up front, while the other projected starters, including Levontae Jacobs, Ethan Bailey and edge man Derek Omoregie, bring only a handful of combined games. Depth and development along the line will decide whether the run defense holds.

This is the strength of the defense. Noah Flemmings is the anchor and the unit's proven leader, a third-team all-conference pick who paced the team with 80 tackles, added 3.5 sacks and emerged as one of the league's most productive defenders. Marcus Ross returns alongside him after playing in 12 games, giving the middle of the field a pair of experienced hands to build the rotation around.

The secondary must break in several new faces, but it is not starting from scratch. Jabari Tiller developed into one of the team's most active defenders, finishing second on the roster with 46 tackles and chipping in 2.5 sacks. Zy Jackson returns at cornerback after starting four games, and Lynard Harris gained useful snaps in a rotational role, making 21 tackles with an interception. Korian Wilson and nickel Mike Williams add to the returning group. The portal reinforcements are led by corner Armoni Rue, a former junior-college All-American who appeared in five games for UTEP.

There may be a kicking competition brewing. Max Larson is back after missing 2025 with an injury, and he was reliable the last time he was healthy, connecting on 14 of 17 field goals in 2024. California transfer Abram Murray arrives to push him after going 4 of 6 with a long of 49. Punting is settled: Makenzie Ryan returns after averaging 38.8 yards on 60 punts, one of the few defensive-side certainties as a returning starter.